Streamlining — Homework

Overview

The shapes of vehicles have evolved over time as our understanding of aerodynamics grew into the mechanisms that govern how fluid flows interact with a body. Drag is one of the main reasons that automobiles and trains have become less bulky and more streamlined. Engineers try to find new techniques to reduce drag so that the vehicle can be more energy efficient and consume less fuel or electric power. This homework will help you understand and analyze how streamlining a body can drastically reduce the drag acting on it, by comparing two differently shaped bodies.

Objectives

In this homework example, you will learn how to simulate external flows over two differently shaped bodies and analyze the effect of streamlining on the drag force.

Setup

Download the Mesh file needed for setting up the simulation and the associated Case & Data files here. Follow the instructions below to set up this simulation in Ansys Fluent starting with a Mesh file. In case you face any issues setting up or running the simulation, then please refer to the corresponding initial and final Case and Data files.

Alternate video link.

Results and Discussion

Let’s now analyze the simulation results and understand the effects of streamlining.